Parshat Vaetchanan ואתחנן Deuteronomy: (3:23-7:11) Parsha Vaetchanan is one of the most powerful Parshas in the book of דברים or Devarim/Deuteronomy. In this weeks Parsha, Moses continues his address to the people of Israel that we began reading last week. The title of the Parsha comes from the opening word Vaetchanan or And I pleaded with G-d. Moses, on the brink of death, tells the nation how he had implored G-d: אעברה נא ואראה את הארץ הטובה אשר בעבר הירדן ההר הטוב הזה והלבנון Please allow me to cross over and see the the good land beyond the Jordan, this good mountain and the Lebanon(3 :25). But G-d was angry with Moses and did not let him cross into the land, saying, Do not speak to me anymore about this matter (3:26). G-d allowed Moses to view the land from the top of the Pisgah, commanding him to lift his eyes westward, eastward, northward and southward, and see with your eyes, for you will not cross over this Jordan (3:27). Moses commands the Children of Israel to follow the laws that G-d ordered them to fulfill so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that Hashem, the God of your fathers, is giving you (4:1). Moses tells the people to follow the letter of the law exactly, saying, Do not add to what I command you and dont subtract from it, that you may keep the commandments of Hashem, your G-d, which I am commanding you (4:2). He explains to the people that G-ds laws are what separates them from the nations, saying, Observe them and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, that, when they hear all these statutes, shall say: Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what great nation is there, that has G-d so close to them, as Hashem our G-d is whenever we call upon Him? And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? (4:6-8) Moses reminds the people of their presence at Sinai and cautions them not to forget the covenant that G-d made with the Children of Israel. He warns the nation that in the future, they will be exiled among the nations for their sins but assures them that even at such times, in your distress, when all these things have come upon you, in the latter days, you will return to Hashem your G-d, and listen to his voice (4:30). Moses then separates three cities of refuge (for one who has taken a life unintentionally) beyond the Jordan for the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Menassah. He emphasizes that the covenant that G-d made with the Children of Israel, He did not make with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day (5:3) and he reiterates the ten commandments handed down to us at Sinai. Moses utters the famous plea (Shema) that we say twice daily in our prayers, Hear, O Israel: Hashem our G-d, Hashem is one (6:4) In addition to the first full paragraph of the Shema prayer. Mosess words, And G-d commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear Hashem our G-d, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as at this day (6:24) teach us that G-ds Law and His love for us apply then and now. Towards the end of the Parsha, Moses again forewarns the nation, telling them that when they prosper in the Land according to the word of G-d, they should be careful lest you forget G-d, who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage (6:12). He commands the Children of Israel to destroy the altars, pillars and graven images of the nations that the Children of Israel are to conquer (these are listed as the Hittite, and the Girgashite, and the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, seven nations greater and mightier than you (7:1) For you are a holy people to Hashem, your G-d; Hashem, your G-d has chosen you to be his own treasure, out of all the nations that are on the face of the earth (7:6). Pasuk of the Week: In every generation a person is obligated to regard himself as if he had come out of Egypt, as it is said: You shall tell your child on that day, it is because of this that the L-rd did for me when I left Egypt (Passover Haggadah). Shabbat Shalom! 🔯💗🔥✨💫🔯 Brajot!
Posted on: Fri, 08 Aug 2014 20:06:39 +0000
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